“Are you a hockey fan?” he asks, eyeing the custom purple and black puffer jacket I’m wearing. The New York Rat Kings emblem is stitched across the chest, and the number seven sits below the name Ulrich across the back.
“Sort of. My boyfriend plays for the Rats, and tonight is one of the only home games that I can make.”
The feelings I was trying to dance away all day in the studio return. I internally scold myself for not ending rehearsal earlier, but I know something deep inside me is avoiding this game because I know who else will be there. Some might call it serendipity or kismet, that the one game I’m able to attend this season just so happens to be the game that Everett Nuttall will also be playing in, but it feels more like some type of joke. Like the powers that be are sitting on their thrones and laughing at this predicament I’m finding myself in tonight.
It’s been a long time since he and I were in the same place, and while, realistically, the odds of him seeing me tonight are slim, I know I will certainly see him. My stomach flips at the thought, and then guilt follows because that’s not something that should make me excited. I should be excited to see the man whose number I’m wearing. The man who will be sleeping in my bed when it’s all over. But there has always been something about Everett. Even when I thought I hated him, I couldn’t stay away.
“I see; well I won’t keep you very long. You’re a very talented dancer, Claire, and it’s why it was an easy decision to make you the Snow Queen and Marie’s understudy for the Sugar Plum Fairy.”
I push down the embarrassment, forcing another smile in response to the half-compliment.
“Thank you.” There’s another long pause, and I check the clock hanging on his wall. It’s five forty-five. Andi is going to kill me for making her wait in the cold, and Raph is going to be so pissed if I miss the start of his game. “Is there anything else—” I begin, suddenly feeling the urge to get out of here before I make anyone angry with me.
“Yes,” he begins. “The reason I asked to see you today was because this morning I spoke with Marie about her ankle.” My heart rate begins to climb as he speaks, anticipation rising in my throat. “As you may know, two nights ago, she finished her performance despite taking a nasty fall during rehearsal the day before, and it seems it’s not getting better. According to her doctor, she needs to let it heal, or her career may end altogether.”
I swallow down the excitement threatening to burst from my mouth. “Does that mean?”
“Yes, we need you to take over her role of the Sugar Plum Fairy for the foreseeable future,” he says, plainly, as if he isn’t making five-year-old me’s dreams come true.
“Oh, my god. This is fantastic! I mean, not for Marie. Shit, I’m not saying it’s great that she’s hurt, but I’ve just wanted this role for as long as I can remember.”
He fidgets with his rings as I attempt to rein myself in.
“Thank you. Thank you, Dimitri. I won’t let you down. I’ve been dreaming of this my entire life. I promise you won’t be disappointed.”
“As you know, Marie was part of our A cast, which means she was my Sugar Plum for the Christmas performance.”
“Christmas?”
Holy Fucking Shit.That’s right. I get to dance astheSugar Plum intheChristmas performance. Years of hard work and dedication, finally paying off. This feels like a dream.
“Yes, which, as I’m sure you know, is our most important performance of the season. Can I trust that you’ll be ready?”
“Yes, of course. I’ll be ready.” My head spins with everything I need to do in order to prepare for this role. With what it could finally mean for my career. The weight of the opportunity settles deep in my bones. This is huge. This could be it for me. “Thank you.”
He nods. “I’ll let Harper know she will be taking over the Snow Queen for you, and I’ll see you tomorrowfor rehearsal.”
I offer him a smile, then turn to head out of his office, feeling overwhelmed with excitement and nerves.
“Oh, and Claire?”
“Yes?” I pause, looking over my shoulder.
“If this goes well, then the part of the Lilac Fairy might be in your future.” I hold back a squeal.
“Thank you. Seriously, thank you so much. I won’t let you down,” I promise, turning on my heels and hurrying down the hall until I know I’m out of his earshot.
Pulling out my phone from my purse, I click on my mom’s contact and place it to my ear. “Come on, come on, pick up.”
“Hold on, honey. It’s Claire,” she answers the phone, talking to my dad in the background. “Hi, sweetheart. Everything okay?”
“Yeah. Everything’s great, actually. I have really good news,” I whisper as I walk past a studio with an open door. There are a few dancers inside, but they’re the last people who would care to hear my good news. “How would you and Dad feel about spending Christmas Eve in the city this year?”
“Hun, get in here. Claire Bear has news.”
There’s a shuffling on the other end of the phone, and I try to contain the excitement pulsing through my body.
“Alright, you’re on speaker, and your dad can hear,” she says.
